Send me email updates about messages I've received
on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team.By signing up, you certify that
you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the
Privacy Policy.

Question for moms who spank/are not against spanking.

If you spank, or are not opposed to spanking, I'd like your opinion on this. DH thinks it's ok to smack our 3 yr old and 5 yr old, in the face. I disagree, I think you should never slap a child across the face, if you're trying to discipline, a quick swat on the butt, or tap on the hand is sufficient. We've clashed over this issue for a while now, but he's never actually DONE it before last night. What do YOU think?

I think it's crazy to slap anyone in the face and that it us totally unacceptable to slap a child in the face- regardless of the situation. I would take my small kids out if the house for the day and let dh relax. Never let him do it again- if he does, spend a few days at grandmas. Abuse should be a non-negotiable.

Smacking the face is not a spanking or a "slap of the wrist". End of story. That is a bitch slap (sorry for cussing but I'm being frank). You do not bitch slap your children even if you do spank for discipline. I do not feel it is "OK" or acceptable. Aside for the potential for leaving a mark that EVERYONE will see- you are hitting your kid in an unprotected and very sensitive area.

I think that slapping your kid in the face is wrong. Spanking them on the butt (OR AS I CALL IT, AN ASS WHOOPING) is just fine when its necessary. I would slap a teenager in the face if they did something completely absurd. You can damage a lot of stuff on a small child if you slap them in the face. The butt is a different story. Hands too, I wont hit my kid in the hand because those tiny bones might break. My sons 1 1/2, and the only thing I do to discipline him (his father taught him to hit people which I'm really pissed about) is to ignore him. I tell him to walk away, and he does. I give him a light push to get him started, and he sits on the floor and cries because he knows he did something bad and now I dont want to play with him.